Shell and the like



April 1929 A. J. GRIMWOOD SHELL AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 17, 1928 i Gri H of the powder is actually extinguished.

Q, altitude reached by the shell is so great innrrnuniionn enIMwoonoF srn'vnns'ron. scoTLAnn, nssren'on TO "IMPERIA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LIMITED, on-Lonnom ENGLAND.

SHELL AND THE LIKE.

' Application filedJ'anuary 17,1928, Serial'N o. 247,408, and in GreateBritain January 21, 1927.

This invention relates to fuse compositions and to fuses for shells, having time.

devices for regulating their explosion.

" It is customary at the present time for time devices for regulating the explosion of shells to consist of time rings into the grooves of. which ordinary black powder is compressed at high pressure.

f With modern guns, and especially those used for anti-aircraft work, much. difficulty .is experienced owing to the time of burning ofthe powder columns varying very considerably when the shells are'fired from high velocity guns, probably in part due to the tendency for the burningto die out as a result of the high speed of rotation, and probably in part owing to the fact thatthe that. a very greatly reduced pressure is encountered. In extreme cases the burning The object of the present invention is to 7 provide a time-regulator as free as possible ofthe disadvantages referred to above.

It has now been found that by the employment of a form of black powder in which the charcoal ingredient is replaced wholly or in part by cuprene, the solid high molec ular polymerization product of; acetylene obtained when the latter is heated to a high tem eraturev in the presence of a catalyst, t e powder burns under reduced atmospheric pressure at speeds more closely 1 comprises the ignition of a form of black powder in which all or part of the charcoalingredient of ordinary black powder ;is replaced by cuprene. V

f The invention also consists in a time device forregulating the explosion of shells or the like comprising one or more time rings containing a form of black powder in which all or part of the charcoal ingredient of ordinary black powder is replacedby cuprene.

The invention also consists in time devices with fuse compositions comprising a form of black powder in which all or part of the charcoal ingredient of ordinary black powder is replaced by cuprene, substantially as described below.

Referring to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings Figure 1 is a part sectional elevation of a time ring fuse such as may be employed in connection with thepresent invention Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1,, looking in the direction of the arrows. r

In carrying the invention into effect in the form illustrated byway of example, I provide a timing device a for a shrapnel shell, this timing device being of known construction and including an inner chamber 6 acting as a firing device and fuse magazine.

The timing device also includes a series of rings 0 having grooves (Z out therein nearly the- Whole way round and provided 2 with holes or passages '0 leading to the firing device or magazine chamber 6. The grooves d are also connected by holes or passages f.

The grooves d are filled with a powder similar to ordinary. fine grain black gunpowder exceptthat in place of all or part, of the usual charcoal ingredient, cuprene is employed. I

This powder is firmly compressed at high pressure into the grooves drand the rings 0 are then mounted in the fuse head of the shell in the ordinary way.

In operation, as the powder is ignited at one end of the grooves 03 the flametravels round until it comes to the hole leading to i the next groove at and soon.

The rings 0 may be made" of any suitable v metal, for example brass or aluminium alloy,

and, if desired, especially where aluminium or aluminium alloys are employed, the channels may be lined with brass.

Shell time fuses as described above may be combined with percussion fuses.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A time device for regulating the explosion of shells and the like including a time ring containing aform of black powder in which at least part of the charcoal ingredient of ordinary black powder is replaced by cuprene.

2. time device for regulating the explosion of shells'and the like comprising a plurality of time rings containing a form V I of black powder inwhich at least part of the charcoal ingredient of ordinary black powder is replaced by cuprene, o

3. A shell time fuse Wit-hignition means comprising a time ring containing a form of black powder in which at least part of the charcoal ingredient off-ordinary black powder is replaced by cuprene combined with a percussion fuse.

name to this specification. v o i ARTHUR JOHN GRIMWOOD.

4. A time device for regulating the ex l plosionfof shells and" the like comprising a ring containing aluminium, a :brass liner in said ringl'and' o'Wder in said liner, said powder being a "orm of black powder in "which at least part of tliecharcoalingrediieni; ofordinary black'powder is replaced by cuprene; r c r In testimonyjwhereof Iihave signed'my zo 

